Midnight can strike in the 6.40
Walking through the gates today then is going to feel quite odd, knowing that once the action starts I will be playing no part in it. I’ve been very lucky here over the years and it is my favourite meetings of the season in Ireland. It’s my local track and, really, only ranks behind Cheltenham for me.
I have been leading jockey eight times and rode ten winners there last year, so I think I may well find the next five days hard enough going.
I was at the course on Sunday and believe they have done a smashing job with the watering. They have poured it on and the more they water the better. This is a National Hunt meeting, which deserves to take place on a proper surface, and is not a summer programme.
Three Grade 1’s this afternoon should ensure a cracking start, although they do look, as you would expect, fiercely competitive. My idea of the best wager is Willie Mullins’ The Midnight Club in the Champion Novice Chase, over three miles plus.
He ran a blinder in the Jewson at Cheltenham, third to Copper Bleu, when we went like the hammers of hell. That two miles and five was too short for him and he was just outpaced, before running on powerfully at the end.
Experience-wise, I feel that will prove a huge help to The Midnight Club, believe he will take a lot of beating and seriously fancy him. You’d imagine Zaarito, Jadanli and Whatuthink are the biggest dangers. Zaarito often falls and the two times he’s won over fences, at Leopardstown and Naas, was able to stay on the bridle. I just think that, when the chips are down, he ends up on the floor and it’s a sign of being empty at that stage.
Jadanli certainly will have no trouble staying, but the ground will surely be a lot different, compared to when he won the Powers’ Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
Whatuthink ran a terrific race to take third behind Bluesea Cracker in the Irish National, but was well exposed in novice company prior to that.
I’m going to stick with my old friend Twist Magic in the Boylesports-sponsored two mile Champion Chase. He again showed his dislike for the track when pulled up behind Big Zeb at Cheltenham. Two years ago, however, he disappointed at Cheltenham and came across to win here and twelve months ago it was the same story. Again, he performed badly at Cheltenham and went on to win at Sandown.
He can be a moody so-and-so, but has been in the form of his life this season, as evidenced by brilliant displays in the Victor Chandler at Ascot and the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
Forpadydeplasterer looks best of the Irish, on the ground. But he ran at Aintree only 11 days ago and went to Cheltenham as well.
I cannot understand why Sizing Europe is running in this. He could stay in novice class, if connection so wished, and will not have the same choice next year. It’s a brave move, there’s no doubt about that, but taking on seasoned horses is an entirely different ball game to what he’s been doing over fences until now.
General Miller beat Menorah at Aintree and I know that makes him the form horse in the Champion Novice Hurdle.
But that was just 11 days ago and this is a quick turnaround. I’d prefer to be with a fresher horse and suggest Flat Out.
He was fifth to Menorah at Cheltenham and has plenty to find on that running. Flat Out’s been lightly-raced of late and that might give him the edge!
